Road Cycling - Speedplay pedal dismount technique ?

Hey Kids...

I scored a pair of Speedplay X/3 Pedlas for xmas, and after 1 ride, I really dig them.. super comfy.. but I do get that pedaling on an ice cube feeling I have read about here a lot...

my main question is... is there an easy dismount that I am missing.. it seems I really have to crank my right heel way out to get unclipped... I trie d few different ways yesterday, unclipping at the top, middle, and bottom of my pedal stroke... none feels comfy yet... maybe it will jsut take time... coming from my SPD's these seem a bit tougher to get out of... but way for comfy overall...

any tips would be great... oh yeah.. I'm using them with my new Sidi Energy's I also got for xmas !! Liek wearing slippers !

JEff

Jeff,

I've found when I had/have a problem clipping in or out
of the speedplays that the 4 screws that hold the top plate of the cleat on are overtightened, try backing off a tad on them.
The ice cube thing goes away after a few rides, you won't even notice it again.
I love my speedplay-sidi combo.
Nice score for xmas.

Marty

That large amount of float before disengagement is what make Speedplays desireable for so many people (myself included). It's just something that will take a couple of rides to get used to.

Didja know that the "Zero" series of Speedplay pedals allow for adjustable float? My wife tried the X/2 pedals I had and just couldn't get used to them. I bought her a set of Zero's and she loves them. She set the outside release point about halfway in and has no problems clipping out.

You may want to consider trading up to the Zero's.

L8R

the zeros are sweet.. but I just can't justify the $265 price tag...

Jeff,

I've found when I had/have a problem clipping in or out
of the speedplays that the 4 screws that hold the top plate of the cleat on are overtightened, try backing off a tad on them.
The ice cube thing goes away after a few rides, you won't even notice it again.
I love my speedplay-sidi combo.
Nice score for xmas.

Marty

I'll have to try that... I knew about the ice cube feeling going in, so it wasn;t a surprise to me... I really found them to be great so far... even if it was only a 16 mile easy ride (just got the Lemond back from Brian... good as new ! Thanks :-))

I will try backing the screws off a bit, and see if that makes adifference... they do clip in pretty easy, and the clip out isn;t too bad... other that it seems like the release point is way out there... I'm just afraid what will happen in an emergency situation where I have to click out quickly... I probably just need more practice :-)

Jeff

I have found the easiest clip out on my Speedplays is at the bottom of the pedal stroke when my leg is at its fullest extension. I went from SPD pedals to the speedplay and the Speedplay clip out, though it takes more of a turn, takes much less force.

I have found the easiest clip out on my Speedplays is at the bottom of the pedal stroke when my leg is at its fullest extension. I went from SPD pedals to the speedplay and the Speedplay clip out, though it takes more of a turn, takes much less force.

I fully agree... you jsut have to turn way out.. but they slide off the pedal smoothly and without any force... I am so used to my SPD's I used to click out of thoseby moving my heel inwards towards the bike... SPeedplays won't let ya... Must re-learn it all...

JEff

Speedplay does recommend unclipping at the bottom of the pedal stroke BTW. Before you know it, you won't even feel the ice thing anymore.

I never got used to the large amount of free float when I was riding Frogs so I saved up for Zeros two years ago and have never been happier with a set of pedals. I also have the Energy shoes and they work perfectly together. As others have said, you might want to check the tightness of your mounting bolts if you feel it's too difficult to unclip. Also, I found that it was initially very difficult for me to get in and out of the pedals but then the clip-spring in the cleats eventually wore in after about a week's worth of solid riding. That combined with your feet also wearing in will eventually make the unclipping process seem more natural. One thing you will want to keep an eye out for too is contamination of the space where that coat-hanger spring sits. A small amount of lubing is also recommended.

I believe regular lubing is necessary, they emphasize the lube alot in the manual. I use the suggested White Lightning.

I have the same X/3 pedals and had a hard time to unclip, at first, then I did figured out a trick. I usually unclip at the top of the stroke, but it actually works in any position. I just sort of un-cork screw my foot little forward, not just turn my heel. That is what I started with and it was too hard on the knees, because the ankle twist was too far. So I figurer the turn/pull/skew motion and had no problem dismounting in any position - it became really easy.

I just got the Zero's on my new bike. They are easy to clip in, and with the float stops, they unclip about like Looks. Was a tough decision, since I've only ridden Look with the fixed cleats for 11 years.

The "ice cube" feeling was a little strange on the first couple of rides, but I think my knees will like the free float. I did adjust the left rear float screw to give me a little more "heel out" float, since I was feeling the stop on the left just a bit when I pedaled. The Speedplays still look more like lollipops than pedals to me...but they are light, and work fine overall so far.

I agree with comPH on adding a little extra movement to the heel rotation. I normally clip out at the top of the pedal stroke by rotating my heel out and pushing forward and what feels like down - slick as a whisle - every time. Then unclip the other foot at the bottom of the stroke like with the same movement. Also regular lubing of the springs is REQUIRED.

I just bought a pair of X/2s last weekend and I couldn't be happier (switch from Looks). I didn't notice the "ice" thing that much, I guess I'm used to a fair amount of free float with the Looks. Clip-in is WAY harder tensionwise, at least for now (I heard there is a brake in period) but way easier looking-down-wise (one of the main reasons I wanted to switch) . Clip-out is WAY easier tension-wise but yeah, you have to swing your ankle out much further.

Question for Speedplay veterans: What do you use to lube? Not what lube do you use (I'm planning on using my bottle of White Lightning which I almost never use on my chain) but how do you get it in there? Speedplay advertises a grease gun you can buy directly from them but I'm assuming there are cheaper, more easily obtained alternatives out there?

The White Lighning is NOT for the inner lubing, for the inner bearings i use a Pedros Injector Thing, you unscrew the little screw and with a good amount of force inject the grease in really really slowly while slowly spinning the pedal around until clean grease comes out the other end. The white Lighning is for the metal ring on the cleat and they said to lube aywhere the pedal touches the cleat.

The White Lighning is NOT for the inner lubing, for the inner bearings i use a Pedros Injector Thing, you unscrew the little screw and with a good amount of force inject the grease in really really slowly while slowly spinning the pedal around until clean grease comes out the other end. The white Lighning is for the metal ring on the cleat and they said to lube aywhere the pedal touches the cleat.


Yep, yep, djbowen1 is right, you need to use Speedplay's grease or something similar for the inner bearings.

I got a pair of Zero for Christmas and had problems clipping in and out of them. However, being a previous owner of an X2, I knew it requires a break-in time and some lubing of the cleats. I lubed my Zero cleats with a little White Lighting and clipping in and out got a lot easier.

Once again, if you are having trouble clipping in (or out
for that matter) back off the 4 screws holding the metal
plate down on the cleat. Not much just a 1/4
(90degrees) usually works. You shouldn't have to break
in speedplays.
Marty